Problem Running a Simulation the Second Time:
Netscape always downloads a new copy of a simulation each time you try to run the simulation from within Netscape by clicking on its link. If there is already a file with the same name in its download folder, it attaches some numbers to the end of the name of the file it downloads. When Interactive Physics tries to open the file, it thinks that it is not an Interactive Physics simulation because of the name, and balks at opening the file. You will see the message, Could not open " the file name with numbers attached " because it is not the right kind of document.

There are two ways to work around this problem until a plug-in for Netscape is available. First and simplest is to just trash any copies of the IP simulation files before attempting to run a simulation if you have run one before. The location of these files is in the same location were Netscape is configured to save any files it downloads. The location can be change by going to the "Options" menu and selecting the "General Preferences" submenu and clicking on the "Applications" tab. Here you will find the "Download Directory:" which tells the location.

The second work around is to force Interactive Physics to open the simulation file, there really is nothing wrong with the simulation but its name. After the error message, Interactive Physics is the program that will be active. If not make it active and go to "File" menu and select "Open" in Interactive Physics not Netscape. Find the file or the previous copy and select one or the other. To do this you will still have to know were the downloaded files are located.

Note that Internet Explorer does not have this problem.

Closing a IP Simulation when Finished:
When you are finished exploring a simulation, you will have to close it manually. Switching back into Netscape does not close the simulation. The problem arises when to many simulations are open at one time. Your computer will run out of memory. If you have this problem just close any simulations that are running.